News

THE POLICE High Command has challenged media reports that the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has refused to cooperate with the investigation into the killing of Keith Clarke, brother of former government minister Claude Clarke.

In a release Wednesday, the hierarchy of the force stated that the JDF has been cooperating fully with ongoing investigations, such as the recent joint operations in western Kingston and Kirkland Heights, upper St Andrew.

"As far as the respective investigations are concerned, several meetings involving the leadership of the security forces have been held since the investigations began. At these meetings, protocols were established to strengthen the timeliness and efficiency of the investigative process," the release said.

The Police High Command said in the case of Keith Clarke, who was fatally shot in Kirkland Heights, the requisite statements have been collected and all weapons have been tested. It said investigators were now awaiting the results from the forensic laboratory.

Military operation

Clarke was killed at his home on May 27 during an operation led by the military in the upper St Andrew community to capture former west Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, who is now in a US jail awaiting trial on gunrunning and drug-trafficking charges.

The Police High Command reported that in the case of the west Kingston operation, the investigative process continues, with an arrangement for the relevant weapons to be made available in increments because of the numbers involved.

According to the police, as in all matters under investigation, an effort was made to ensure that case files were properly prepared for dispatch to the relevant agencies.

"This usually takes time, as a complete case file may involve the input of agencies and persons outside of the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) and the JDF," it added.

Human-rights lobby Jamaicans for Justice had complained about the pace of investigations into the Clarke killing, and called on the Independent Commission of Investigations to take over the probe.